Magic Top Celtics 113-92, Extend Series to Six

The Orlando Magic took care of business for the second consecutive game winning 113-92. The victory extends the Eastern Conference Finals to a game-six this Friday in Boston. The Celtics will try and close out a series they led three games to nothing heading into game-four.


The past two contests the Magic have received great production from Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, and J.J. Redick. Rashard Lewis is beginning to look more comfortable after suffering through a viral infection earlier in the series.

Only four teams of the top professional sports leagues (NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB) have ever battled back from a 3-0 series deficit. Boston fans should be worried because they recently saw the Bruins lose grip of a 3-0 series lead to the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL Eastern Conference Finals.

The city of Boston was also on the winning side of being down three games to none. The Red Sox came back to beat the New York Yankees in the 2004 AL championship series.


To add insult to injury Glen Davis suffered a concussion after being struck indecently by a Dwight Howard elbow early in the third quarter. Just before Davis was injured, Celtic starting center Kendrick Perkins was given two technical fouls that were both questionable. If the technical fouls are not overturned by the league, Perkins will have to sit out game-six.

The momentum has moved in favor of the Orlando Magic. Be sure to tune this Friday, May 28, 2010 at 8:30 P.M. to catch more of this great playoff action.

The Orlando Magic Try to Hold off Elimination

Recent news trickling out of Orlando is small forward Rashard Lewis has had a viral infection and could be to blame for his recent struggles this series against the Boston Celtics. He is expected to start game-five in Orlando but had said he’s not sure how it will affect his play.

"Overall it effects you," he said after Orlando's shootaround Wednesday. "I've been throwing up. I haven't been at full strength. I've been feeling weak, my legs been feeling weak. I find myself getting tired very fast in the first quarter. You know, when you can't hold food down you have no energy in your body to go out there and perform."

Magic point guard Jameer Nelson and company finally decided to show up in game-four on Monday night winning the contest 96-92 in OT. Orlando staved off elimination making the series 3-1 in favor of the Celtics. Nelson finished with 23 points and made two key three pointers in overtime to help the magic to their first victory of the series. Magic center Dwight Howard had a double-double with 36 points and 17 rebounds but went a dreadful 6-14 from the charity stripe.


The Magic will have to start game-five with the high pace tempo they previously displayed in game-four. The Boston Celtics and have made the Magic’s three-point shooters uncomfortable this whole series.

Both teams’ benches will play a major role in how this game will be decided tonight. If J.J. Redick and Mickael Pietrus play well off the bench the Magic they will be in position to win. However, if Tony Allen and Glen Davis play well for the Celtics off the bench it could be the final home game at the Amway Arena for the Orlando Magic and fans.

Magic Route Hawks by 43 points in game 1

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard stayed out of foul trouble and delivered in an immense way throughout game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Howard contributed his first double-double of the postseason, scoring 21-points on eight of ten shooting and adding twelve assists during the Orlando Magic’s 114-71 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Vince Carter played his most complete game of the playoffs for the Magic chipped in 20-points and Jameer Nelson continued his stellar play scoring 19-points on eight of twelve shooting, including three of five shooting from behind the 3-point line.

The Hawks came out strong in the first quarter only trailing Orlando 25-23 before the Magic began hitting their stride from 3-point land. They stroked 39.1% of their 3-point shots where as Atlanta shot a dreadful 15.4%. The Hawks starting five collectively shot 17 of 47 from the field and early foul trouble from swingman Josh Smith led to the Hawks second most lopsided playoff loss in franchise history.

Atlanta will have to regroup and forget about this game if they have any chance at winning game two this Thursday in Orlando. "It was an ugly game for us," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said.

Atlanta needs Al Horford to control rebounds and contain second chance opportunities created by the Magic’s ability to get points in the paint.

If this game is any indication of how the series will be played out, look for Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive season.

Magic's Howard, Defensive Player of The Year

Dwight Howard named defensive player of the year

For the second straight year, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has won the defensive player of the year. Howard became the youngest player to win the award back-to-back years. He also became the first player to lead the league in back-to-back seasons in block shots and rebounds.



Howard received 576 total points, including 110 first-place votes from a panel of 122 writers and broadcasters. Atlanta's Josh Smith was second with 136 points, and Charlotte's Gerald Wallace finished third with 113 points. Howard averaged 13.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks this season, helping the Magic (59-23) to the league's second-best record behind Cleveland. Only Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon and Ben Wallace each led the NBA in those categories once in the same season.

Dwight is less concerned with how many awards he wins, as he and Orlando try to win a championship, “"It means a lot, but there's just one trophy that we all want here," Howard said. “ Everybody in this city wants it, and it's on us. It starts with me blocking shots, rebounding and being a big defensive presence."
Game two of the Orlando and Charlotte series continues Wednesday night. The Magic won game one behind their home crowd in a 98-89 thrilling victory.

Magic point guard Jameer Nelson had a career playoff high 32 points. Nelson is trying to redeem himself after a poor playoff series last season against the Los Angeles Lakers.

"In the Finals, I wasn't myself," Nelson said. "Not making any excuses, I was out there, so I should have helped my team out a little better. But it feels great being able to help these guys, and not be out there in a suit cheering them on as much as I did last year."

Orlando has many weapons that they can utilize anytime during a series. Look for someone new each game to step up if one of the starters is having an off night.

NBA Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Playoff Matchups

NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Matchups

These are the matchups and predictions for the 2010 NBA quarterfinals brought to you by Shaft Sports.

#1: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #8: Chicago Bulls

Caves Regular Season Record: 61-21
Bulls Regular Season Record: 41-41


The Chicago Bulls playoff hopes came down to the final regular season game. They took care of business and grabbed the final seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls now face a tough matchup against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bulls’ guards Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich will have the difficult task of shutting down Moe Williams who averaged 15.5 points-per-game during the regular season. To make matters worse for Chicago, Cleveland is virtually impossible to beat at home. The Caves finishing with the best regular season home record (35-6). The Caves have too much experience and scoring threats to lose this series.

Prediction: Cavaliers in 5 games


#2: Orlando Magic vs. #7 Charlotte Bobcats

Magic Regular Season Record: 59-23
Bobcats Regular Season Record: 44-38


The defending Eastern Conference champs from a year ago- the Orlando Magic want to prove last season was not a fluke. Adding hometown star Vince Carter during the offseason proved to be a shrude move on behalf of the Magic. Carter averaged 16.6 points-per-game after struggling early on in the season with his shooting. Jameer Nelson is finally healthy and Dwight Howard has been a monster as usual scoring 18.3 ppg and grabbing a league best 13.2 boards a game. The Bobcats starting five rotation are led by guard Stephen Jackson who averages 20.6 ppg. Charlotte does not have a very deep bench and playoff inexperience will lead to an early playoff exit.

Prediction: Magic in 6 games

#3: Atlanta Hawks vs. #6: Milwaukee Bucks

Hawks Regular Season Record: 53-29
Bucks Regular Season Record: 46-36


The Atlanta Hawks look to build off last season’s playoff success as they take on the Milwaukee Bucks. Both squads are explosive on offense and are exceptional in the transition game. The Hawks finished tied for the second best home record in the NBA (34-7). Couple that with the unavailability of Milwaukee’s leading scorer Andrew Bogot (broken hand) and long time Buck Michael Redd, the series could be over relatively soon. The Bucks do have rookie Brandon Jennings and John Salmons but I do not believe they will be enough to shoulder the load.

Prediction: Hawks in 5 games

#4: Boston Celtics vs. #5: Miami Heat

Celtics Regular Season Record: 50-32
Heat Regular Season Record: 47-35

The Boston Celtics managed to win the Atlantic Division despite an up and down season. This could be the last run for Celtics head coach Doc Rivers along with many of his players. Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat finished the last ten regular season games hot, sporting a 9-1 record in those contests. Miami needs Wade to play as he has in past playoff series if they have any chance of beating a much deeper, much more seasoned Celtic ball club.

Prediction: Celtics in 6 games